GRESHAM, OR (July 16) - Bill Johnson, a U.S. Ski Team legend who boldly predicted his downhill gold medal victory at the 1984 Olympic Winter Games in Sarajevo, has elected to continue his fight against a life threatening infection amongst the comfort and support of family and friends. Johnson, who remains cheerful and aware, was hospitalized on June 29 and spent two weeks in intensive care while doctors unsuccessfully attempted to find the source of an infection that has attacked all of his major organs. Rather than endure a daily regimen of oxygen, antibiotics and fluids, Johnson will return to Gresham Regency Nursing and Rehabilitation Center where he was living before being hospitalized.

HIGHLIGHTS

Bill Johnson, who won the Olympic gold medal for downhill in 1984, was hospitalized on June 29 with a severe infection.

Johnson spent 11 days in intensive care while doctors attempted unsuccessfully to determine the sourse of the infection.

The Olympic champion has since elected to leave the medical facility and stop medical aid.

Johnson won three FIS Alpine World Cup downhill events in the 1983-84 season including the famed Lauberhorn Classic in Wengen, Switzerland.

After his Wengen win, he would boldly predict and win the 1984 Olympic gold medal for downhill in Sarajevo.

Following the Olympics, Johnson won World Cup downhill races in Aspen and Whistler in the same season.